Reflections:
A Student Response Journal for…
Death Be Not Proud
by John Gunther
Copyright © 2004 by Prestwick House, Inc., P.O. Box 658, Clayton, DE 19938.
1-800-932-4593. www.prestwickhouse.com Permission to copy this unit for
classroom use is extended to purchaser for his or her personal use. This material,
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ISBN: 978-1-58049-826-5
Item No. 201482
D e a t h B e N o t P ro u d
Foreword
1.
In the foreword, John Gunther speaks of his son as someone deserving
admiration. Write a short paragraph describing someone you know who
deserves admiration. As an alternative, write a paragraph about the suffering of someone whom you do not know personally.
2.
Johnny’s father describes him as having humor, charm and brains. He
calls Johnny gallant in his fight for life and tells of his love of animals,
the weather, gardening, rocks, magic tricks, and especially science. Write
a resume for a person with these qualities and address it to a company
looking for an employee with these characteristics.
3.
Gunther praises his son’s good qualities, saying that Johnny’s only fault
was an excess of virtue. He calls his son generous to a fault. Write a
description of someone you know who is generous and explain why generosity might be considered a fault.
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Response Journal
Chapter 1
4.
Infantile paralysis (polio) was a disease prevalent among children in the
1940s. Johnny had some minor symptoms, but nothing directly related
to the feared disease. Write a daily log of signs that might indicate you
are catching a cold. What are the day-by-day symptoms as the cold progresses toward its end?
5.
Doctors told Frances (Johnny’s mother) that Johnny had a “pressure” in
his skull. Gunther called that term a “euphemism.” Define the word
euphemism and make a list of five euphemisms that could be used for
physical conditions. Example: “passed away” for “died.”
6.
As the doctors tried to diagnose his disease, Johnny was given many
spinal taps.(drawing of fluid from the spinal column to test for problems). In a diary entry, describe how you felt before, during and after
your last physical examination, what diagnostic tests you needed, and
what results those tests provided.
7.
Johnny never “whimpered” or protested the endless medical procedures
he underwent. Describe the type of person you think could go through
these types of experiences without complaining and explain how you
might react if you had to go through them.
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© Copyright 2004, Prestwick House, Inc.
D e a t h B e N o t P ro u d
8.
More than 30 doctors involved themselves in Johnny’s case. In the following two lists, match the type of doctor with the ailment or procedure
described.
9.
1. Psychiatrist
A. heart murmur
2. Dentist
B. poor vision
3. Podiatrist
C. facelift
4. Allergist
D. upset stomach
5. Dermatologist
E. hearing loss
6. Internist
F. hay fever
7. Optometrist
G. emotional problems
8. Audiologist
H. toothache
9. Plastic surgeon
I. acne
10. Cardiologist
J. athlete’s foot
Gunther says that although a violent headache bothered Johnny less
than having his head shaved. As he looked at his shaven skull, Johnny
asked, “Papa, they aren’t going to electrocute me, are they?” Make a list
of things you might suspect if you were told your head had to be shaved.
10. The words benignant and benign describe harmless tumors; malignant is
used to describe infectious or cancerous tumors. These words can also
describe things besides tumors. Write an example for each of the following.
A benign remark
A benign outlook
A malignant habit
A malignant attitude
A malignant wish
A benign smile
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Response Journal
11. Gunther can hardly believe that something can have such devastating
effects on the tissue of a human brain. He asks, “What in all sanity and
conscience is a brain?” In a paragraph, explain what you think a brain
really is, and explain the differences between brain, mind and consciousness.
12. Twelve days after the first operation on Johnny’s tumor, he wrote a letter
to Albert Einstein in which he expounded upon a theory he developed.
Consider a field with which you feel familiar, such as music, electronics
or sports. Write a letter to a famous person in the field you choose and
give them your ideas on how you feel improvements could be made.
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© Copyright 2004, Prestwick House, Inc.
D e a t h B e N o t P ro u d
Chapter 2
13. In 1946, Johnny went to the hospital every morning for X-rays of his
skull before he was permitted to go to the family’s country home.
Because of his condition, and for his protection, he was not allowed to
go boating, swimming, diving, or rock-climbing. If you were seriously
impaired, what activities would you miss the most? Why?
14. John Gunther tried to explain suffering to his son. He said that pain was
part of growth and perhaps would improve Johnny’s brain. Do you think
Gunther was convinced of this himself? Write an outline of ways you
could convince someone that suffering has a purpose. Include visual aids
to prove your point.
15. Frances and John Gunther never stopped searching for new ways to fight
and possibly arrest their son’s tumor. Write a newspaper article advising
readers where to look for resources that answer medical questions.
Include experiences of someone you know or have heard of who found
help for their particular problems, and say where they found them.
16. Frances “taught him (Johnny) to squeeze out of every conceivable occasion, no matter how painful, every atom of humor possible.” In a paragraph, explain why you think this was important for Johnny. Then find
five examples of humor in the text.
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